Jemima Goldsmith, the renowned British socialite and former wife of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan, has shifted her stance on the ongoing Gaza-Israel conflict. Breaking from her traditionally balanced approach, she recently took to her X (formerly Twitter) account to express support for a ceasefire in Gaza.
In her tweet, Goldsmith drew a chilling comparison between the number of children killed in the 14-year war in Iraq and the shocking toll in Gaza due to Israeli actions over just one month. She stated, “The number of children being killed in Gaza is unprecedented. Fewer children were killed in Iraq in the last 14 years of war (2008-2022) in one single month in Gaza.”
The former journalist and philanthropist further emphasized the gravity of the situation by pointing out that the civilian death toll in the conflict between Israel and Gaza is ‘significantly higher’ than in all conflicts worldwide during the 20th century.
Goldsmith, known for her nuanced perspective, expressed her discomfort with the labels “pro-Israel” or “pro-Palestine,” stating, “I really don’t like the terms, ‘pro-Israel’ or ‘pro-Palestine’ as it implies the choice has to be binary. You can be pro-Israel’s right to exist in safety and pro-Palestinian freedom. Those two things are not only mutually inclusive, they are contingent upon one another.”
This marks a departure from Goldsmith’s previous position, where she advocated for acknowledging the perspectives of both parties involved in the conflict. In an article penned for The Independent, she explicitly addressed both antisemitism and Islamophobia, citing her personal connections with both Muslims and Jews as the motivation for engaging in a comprehensive discussion on the matter.
Jemima Goldsmith’s tweet has sparked widespread discussions on social media, with many praising her for taking a clear stance on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and calling for an immediate ceasefire. As the conflict continues, Goldsmith’s advocacy for a balanced and humane approach remains at the forefront of the public discourse.
